Gain Your Outside Perspective

In the spirit of collaboration and community building, Outside Perspectives Directors recently participated in the Connecticut Community Foundation's Nonprofit Community Conversation hosted at Naugatuck Valley Community College this past Friday. This event brought together nonprofit leaders, community members, and municipal leaders to connect, share, and discuss the path to a brighter tomorrow. The Connecticut Community Foundation, guided by its mission to foster an equitable and inclusive community in Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills, organized this gathering with a compelling goal. They aimed to unite people around a shared vision for the future while engaging in intentional conversations about the community. The Foundation, present and listening, gathered feedback to share with the community, nonprofit organizations, and municipal leaders.   Nicky, Lauren, and Liza sat at different tables alongside other nonprofit leaders and community members at the event. Everyone at the...

Introducing Jahnyah Meet Jahnyah, a remarkable young individual we have enjoyed getting to know over the past several years. Jahnyah is a part of the Charter Oak Boxing Academy (COBA) family and has been on several Outside Perspectives (OP) programs over the last three years. She stood out as a leader at COBA and during OP programs and is now moving on to do great things at UCONN and beyond! We want to congratulate Jahnyah on all of her accomplishments and spotlight her time with us at OP. Jahnyah happily shared how her experiences with COBA and Outside Perspectives shaped her and why these experiences are crucial for all kids. Her journey from East Hartford High School to the University of Connecticut (UCONN) is a testament to her dedication, ambition, and the transformative power of experiences like those offered by a partnership between Charter Oak Boxing Academy and Outside Perspectives. High School Achievements Jahnyah graduated from East Hartford High School on June 6, 2023, with...

The Youth Excellence Project of Outside Perspectives, Inc.   Bigelow Preserve & Flagstaff Lake 2023 Expedition By Damion Grasso, YEP Founder, Director, and Instructor The crew convened early on Saturday in New Hartford for the long drive North to Eustis, Maine. Ben and I took turns driving and playing DJ for the boys, stopping for lunch at Subway in Brattleboro. Aimee and Liz, our logistics crew, drove separately but nearby. The boys played the “Shotgun” road trip card game in the van and earned points for silly challenges like, “ First person to spot a billboard insurance advertisement .” As one can imagine, the noise level and shenanigans in the back of the van were intense, with the most prominent voice probably coming from Kam, who happened to be right behind me. They all made it a fun ride, though.   It was exciting to pass from Massachusetts into Maine. The scenery changed, with mountains popping up on the horizon. Ben was keen on seeing a moose. At one point, Ben ho...

Our CT Youth Excellence Crew on the Bigelow Trip! Our 8-Day Signature Destination Trip to the Bigelow Mountains of Maine requires a LOT of preparation! On this Expedition, the crew spends Day One on the road, backpacks for three days, then transitions to canoeing for three days. They spend the eighth day on the road home. As you can imagine, this requires a LOT of gear. It also involves a lot of food and thoughtful planning about when they need what and how they will get it! Liza, our Program Director, and Aimee, our Lead Instructor, spent weeks working all of this out. From plotting on maps to writing up an itinerary to creating a menu and determining grocery lists, they are our logistical geniuses ! Aimee and Liza! Their next move was to head up to our Gear Room on the 5th floor and begin packing all the gear. Outside Perspectives provides EVERYTHING the kids could need. This includes backpacks, clothing, rain gear, water bottles, mess kits, headlamps and bug nets, hats, socks, tents...